Robert Lea @RobertLea@qoto.org

An #asteroid lit up the skies over the U.K. last night before crashing in the English Channel. What are asteroids, what are they made of, and where do they come from? My latest (well timed) for Space has the answers. #Space #astronomy #scicomm https://www.space.com/51-asteroids-formation-discovery-and-exploration.html

The Sparkler galaxy discovered by the #jameswebbspacetelescope is a cosmic cannibal that devouring neighbouring galaxies to grow. #astronomy #Space #scicomm #Science https://www.space.com/webb-sees-young-cannibal-galaxy-resembling-milky-way

Astronomers have discovered a new ring system around a solar system dwarf planet that defies expectations. I spoke to University of Sheffield’s Vik Dhillon about this “impossible” ring. #Space #astronomy #scicomm https://www.livescience.com/impossible-new-ring-system-discovered-at-the-edge-of-the-solar-system-and-scientists-are-baffled

Astronomers have discovered the first direct evidence that the Milky Way’s neighbour galaxy Andromeda grew via a collision with another galaxy triggering a mass migration of stars. #space #scicomm #astronomy https://www.space.com/andromeda-galaxy-collision-stellar-immigration

The solar system is filled with a “ghostly glow” even when all of its light is accounted for. I spoke to Tim Carleton researcher with ASU about this “ghost light” and its possible cause for Popular Mechanics #Space #astronomy #scicomm https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/solar-system/a42800948/astronomers-discover-solar-system-has-ghostly-glow/

What happens when a star fails to ignite? It becomes a brown dwarf. Astronomers have imaged one of these “failed stars” directly for the first time. #astronomy #space #scicomm https://trib.al/6DIgznf

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Wen-fai Fong leader of Northwestern’s Fong Group about her introduction to #astronomy and how she inspires the next generation of #space scientists. #science #physics #scicomm https://physicsworld.com/a/i-see-a-piece-of-myself-in-every-student-that-ive-mentored-and-we-motivate-each-other-wen-fai-fong-on-supporting-the-next-generation-of-astronomers/

Astronomers have measure the mass of a lone dead star white dwarf for the first time. The rea search gives a clue to what the sun will look like when it dies in 5 billion years! #Space #scicomm #astronomy https://www.space.com/hubble-space-telescope-white-dwarf-mass#xenforo-comments-59872

The asteroid Itokawa is a 'space cushion' that might soak up punishment, new research shows, a skill that's helped it survive for a surprisingly long time. I spoke to Curtin Uni researcher Fred Jourdan about the findings and what it means for planetary defense. https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/itokawa-asteroid-is-a-rubble-pile-that-could-be-tough-to-destroy/

A new image from the #JamesWebbSpaceTelescope shows a host of #galaxies including a distant spiral galaxy in sunning detail. #astronomy #Space #SciComm #spaceimages https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-spiral-galaxy-image

LOne of the most accurate maps of all the matter in the universe ever reveals the cosmos isn’t as “clumpy” as it should be. Could there be an ingredient missing from our cosmological recipe? #Space #astronomy #SciComm #physics https://www.space.com/precise-matter-map-universe-less-clumpy#xenforo-comments-59826

Spider stars systems are binaries in which a pulsar blasts it’s stellar companion with high energy radiation eroding it. Astronomers have detected the first gamma Ray eclipse from such a system… but why is that significant?#Space #astronomy #scicomm https://www.space.com/spider-system-pulsar-gamma-ray-eclipses

A new dark matter model could offer “the best of both worlds” I spoke to researcher Robert McGeHee about HYPERs as #DarkMatter particles. #SciComm #Physics #Space https://www.space.com/dark-matter-new-model-hyper-particles

The small UK town Winchcombe was lit up in 2021 when a fireball #space rock exploded in its skies and crashed into a home’s driveway there. I spoke to researchers Queenie H. S. Chansons Mark Sephton about the secrets locked within the #meteorite including amino acids that could be the precursors to life! #astronomy #scicomm https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/meteorite-that-struck-a-driveway-in-small-uk-town-holds-key-ingredients-for-life/

What is dark energy and why is the universe expanding at an ever-accelerating rate? I asked cosmologist Luz Angela Garcia 10 pressing questions about the expansion of the #universe for @PopMech #Space #scicomm #physics #astronomy https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/deep-space/a42570996/expert-answers-your-dark-energy-questions/

Just watched the Menu. It’s absolutely brilliant. Fantastic satire of the the restaurant industry and food criticism. Anya Taylor-Joy is fantastic and Nicholas Hoult is wonderful as a snivelling sycophant! https://youtu.be/C_uTkUGcHv4

New survey of the galactic disc of the Milky Way reveals a stunning 3.3 billion celestial objects. #space #astronomy #MilkyWay #SciComm https://www.space.com/dark-energy-camera-milky-way-survey

Hope you had a fantastic #NewYear2023 how would you feel about doing it all over again on Jan 5? A newly discovered hot Jupiter #exoplanet whips around its star once every 5 days. Pass the aspirin. #astronomy #SciComm #space https://www.space.com/hot-jupiter-exoplanet-rapidly-spinning-star

The Inside No 9 Christmas special the Bones of St Nicholas didn’t disappoint. What a lovely atmospheric tale with a pure Tales of the Unexpected twist. In fact, it was jaw dropping!

What’s on the menu for Christmas dinner; turkey, beef, lamb, the shredded remains of a star you destroyed with tidal forces? A distant black hole isn’t just feasting on a star, it’s created it’s own plasma party hat! #Space #astronomy #scicomm https://www.space.com/black-holes-snacks-on-dead-star-corona